Adjustable brake-lever.



0.- H. THOMPSON.

ADJUSTABLE BRAKE LEVER.

APPLICATION FILED APB.24, 1911.

1,088,247, Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Ill/ll w f I STAENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. THOMPSON, OF LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO'I'I-lIORNI-IILL WAGON COMPANY, OF LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OFVIRGINIA.

ADJUSTABLE BRAKE-LEVER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. THOMP- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Lynchburg, in the county of Campbell and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAdjustable Brake-Levers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to adjustable brake levers and has particularreference to such devices to be used in connection with a wagon or thelike.

The invention aims to provide novel means for adjustably securing alever to a rock shaft employed in applying brakes, and more particularlyto such means formed of co-acting clutch members constructed to fit onewithin the other so that the teeth of said clutch members are properlyprotected and hence making it possible for the device to be of long lifeand the co-acting clutch members to be easily separated to adjust thelever for changing its position with relation to the rock shaft. By myconstruction both of the co-acting clutch members may be re moved fromthe rock shaft for the purpose of repair or for substituting newmembers.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification and inwhich llke numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my adjustable brake lever andassociated members, showing the same in connection with the running gearof a wagon, Fig. 2 is an outer side View of the brake lever, and, Fig. 3is a central longitudinal sectional view taken through the same.

In the drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of myinvention, the numeral 1 designates a brake bar carrying brake shoes 2at its opposite ends. This brake bar is suspended from a support bar 3by means of links 4, whereby the brake bar 1 is capable of movement in ahorizontal plane toward and away from the rear wheels (not shown) of thewagon. The support bar 3 is suitably attached to the rear portion of therunning gear.

The numeral 5 designates a rock shaft, journaled through brackets 6which are mounted upon the running gear, and pro- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed April 24, 1911.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Serial No. 622,952.

vided near its ends with depending cranks 7. These cranks have pivotalconnection with forward y extending bars 8, having forked ends which arepivotally connected with the brake bar 1.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the rock shaft .5 has its end portiontapered and formed square in cross-section or any other shape other thanround, as indicated at 9. The tapered portion 9 carries at its outer enda reduced cylindrical screw-threaded portion 10 adapted for thereception of a nut 11. The rock shaft 5 is turned by means of anadjustable brake lever comprising a body portion 12, upon the lower endof which is rigidly mounted a preferably circular head 13 that may bepreferably cast integral with said body portion. This head 13 isprovided upon its inner face with a frusto-conical opening formedtherein, the circumferential wall of which is provided with teeth 14.The head 13 forms one co-acting member of a clutch.

The numeral 15 designates a casting or head, serving as the otherco-acting member of the clutch. The head 15 is provided with an axialopening formed therethrough corresponding in shape in cross-section tothe portion 9 of the rock shaft and adapted to snugly receive suchportion. The head 15 cannot rotate on the rock shaft 5. The outerportion of the head 15 is formed frustoconical, as shown, and is adaptedfor insertion within the frustoconical opening formed in the head 13.The frusto-conical portion of the head 15 is provided with teeth 16adapted to intermesh with the teeth 14. The head 13 has an opening 17formed therethrough, for the reception of the reduced screw-threadedportion 10. The body portion 12 of the adjustable brake lever has itsinner face provided with a longitudinal recess or groove 18, withinwhichis disposed an arm 19, held in place by bolts 20. Pivotally connectedwith the arm 19 is a rod 21, extending forwardly for pivotal connectionwith a manuallv operated lever 22, carrying a latch 23 to cooperate witha rack 24.

When the brake lever is rigidly locked with the rock shaft 5, the samemay be oscillated for applving the brakes oy proper manipulation of thelever 22, the movement of the rock shaft 5 being transmitted to thebrake bar 1 through the intermediate connections. As the brake shoeswear away and become thinner, it is found desirable to lock the brakelever at a diflerent radial position with relation to the rock shaft 5.The radial adjustment of the brake lever with relation to the rock shaft5, is effected by removing thenut 11 and disengaging the co-aetingclutch members or heads 13 and 15. The desired position of the brakelever having been obtained, the clutch members 13 and 15 are againplaced in locked engagement and the nut 11 screwed in place to retainsuch engagement. From the construction of the above referred to parts,it is obvious that the clutch members 13 and 15 may be readily separatednot only from each other but from the portion-9 of the rock shaft.

I wish it understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatcertain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

The combination with a rock-shaft having one end thereof tapered,decreasing in cross sectional area outwardly, formed polygonal incross-section, and provided at its outer :3

end with a reduced screw-threaded extension; of a separate head providedwith a main central tapered opening for receiving the tapered endportion of the rock-shaft and carrying teeth upon its periphery; a 1

aperture thereof to reinforce the disk; a nut carried by thescrew-threaded extension and engaging the inner end of the crank forholding the several parts of the apparatus together; a lever mountedwithin the groove of the crank; and means to secure the lever Within thegroove.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES H. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

B. B. LANGHORN, E. H. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Wanhington, D. G.

